Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   "Annette..." Ronald came to Annette Bening's apartment and brought a bottle of red wine from Joel Silver as a door-to-door gift.

   "Ha...here we come", Benin, wearing a light green apron, came out to open the door. "I'm glad you came, I made something delicious." Then he kissed Ronald's mouth lightly.

  "My favorite Bordeaux red wine", Benin looked at the red wine and put it on the table, "You watch TV first, I'll be ready soon."

   "Okay, you go first", Ronald felt very comfortable, and sat on the sofa. This kind of conversation is very similar to the feeling between acquainted friends and lovers, although Ronald has only met Annette Bening once.

   Looking from the back, Annette Bening has a very thin waist, and a white round-neck T-shirt is scattered in black pants. The aura of the front covered by the apron kept coming out as she walked into the kitchen twisting her back.

   Ronald turned on the TV, and the local KTLA TV channel 5 was reporting entertainment news.

"Following the final offer made by the Producers Union in early March, yesterday the Producers Union made a 'final final offer. At this stage, union members need to be more united when the negotiations are about to produce a breakthrough..."

   "Now you know you've given in?" Ronald looked at the negotiator who looked like a magic stick on TV, feeling amused in his heart. The Producers Union held an emergency meeting the day before yesterday, and added some concessions to the final offer last time. The new settlement agreement was voted through with the approval of the majority of representatives.

  In addition to giving tens of millions of dollars to the screenwriters union as compensation for the previous three years, two terms have also been softened. The first is to agree to a unified regulation that any film and television program broadcast on the TV station for more than one hour will automatically receive the remaining dividends.

   This one is actually the most displeased TV station bosses, they complain that some programs have poor ratings, if those programs can enter the dividend pool based on time instead of ratings, they will have to pay for a pile of rubbish.

   But in the producer union, the voice of the TV station is a minority. Although they are rich and powerful, in terms of votes, a large number of small and medium-sized production companies still occupy the majority of voting rights. In addition, the most uncomfortable screenwriter strike is the TV production department that has the greatest demand for scripts.

  Therefore, this article was passed without any doubts.

  The second article was proposed by the screenwriters union, and screenwriters should have the right to negotiate on the selection of actors and directors for certain projects. This one was opposed by most of the producers. Many small producers were established by directors like Ronald, and they didn't want any screenwriters to dictate their casting.

  But the president of the alliance, Nick Coonte, came up with an additional clause, that is, the producer has more power to determine the number of signed screenwriters for the crew. In other words, the producer can have more power to decide the authorship of other people than the original screenwriter (who must be signed by law), such as the script doctor and the modifier.

   That is to say, after giving the screenwriter some vague powers, the producer is given more power to decide who can sign on the script. In this way, the pros and cons, experienced producers know how to play the game here, so that the screenwriter's power to influence the casting on paper is invalidated.

  As long as the two clauses are bound and must be passed together, then it is okay to agree to the whimsical powers of the screenwriters union.

If there is a screenwriter whose influence is so great that the director and producer cannot check and balance, then in most cases he is also a strong best-selling author, or a Broadway playwright. of.

  The strike has been going on for a long time. Many screenwriters have no income, their savings are almost exhausted, and the relief from the union is almost gone. Soon Hollywood actors will hold a charity auction to renew the lives of screenwriters.

   Ronald looked at the TV with a smile, thinking that the strike would end soon, and now he must hurry up and finalize the script of "Steel Magnolia".

Ronald contacted Shirley McLean and Olympia Dukakis, two actresses who had no new films after the strike, and it happened that Ronald brought this blockbuster film with female characters, and they were very happy to say Can participate.

   Of course, the most important thing is to get the heroine. Ronald listened to some opinions from his agent, Nisita, and now the most appealing Hollywood female stars are Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Yang. Exclude the crazy Sean Young, it's time to ask Michelle Pfeiffer to come out and make a movie directed by herself.

   "Okay, we can eat."

  I was thinking about having the opportunity to direct Michelle Pfeiffer, fulfilling a wish of the year, and let Hollywood see that Pfeiffer is not just an attractive and pretty face. Annette Bening came out with some plates.

"What are you thinking?" Bening set the plate, "This is the dish I made when I was a chef on a yacht... I have wanted to cook a table for my beloved since I was a child." Bening took off his apron and sat Beside Ronald, his hands were surrounding Ronald, and suddenly a heat came through the thin trousers and T-shirt.

   "You really worked as a cook on a ship? That's amazing." Ronald looked at the British bone china on the table, which was shining brightly and looked very good. But the food inside is…

  Although Bening speaks well, the role of a good wife and mother is also very appetizing to Ronald. But the dishes on these plates let her reveal the truth.

   Lightly overcooked scrambled eggs, oatmeal toast, tomato sandwiches, and a big bowl of green salad with Kraft's classic American salad dressing.

  Although it is understandable that an actor’s expertise is not in culinary skills, he boasted about his cooking skills for a long time beforehand, and he made a table of simple American meals for breakfast or lunch, which still made Ronald almost unable to hold back.

"Of course, I was only fourteen years old, and a friend took me to learn to dive. In order to make money for diving lessons, I worked as a cook on a fishing yacht. It cost ten dollars a trip, and the third time I became a cook." Chef, in addition to these, I can also grill meat and fry steaks. Later, I got a diving instructor and took pictures, and I went to college after earning money, and became my favorite career as an actor.”

   "Try the vegetable salad I made. The fishing guys on the boat said it was delicious." Bening made a piece with a fork and fed it to Ronald.

   "Well, do you have olive oil?" Ronald was not too cold about this strong salad dressing, and he remembered the way Nora Ephron ate it.

   "Yes", Bening twisted in Ronald's arms, and then went to get olive oil.

   "Well, it tastes better this way." Ronald added some olive oil, which really dilutes the taste of the salad dressing, and it still has a little fragrance.

  “When I was in college, I was interested in drama, but there were no good drama clubs in public universities. It took me longer to gain a firm foothold on Broadway.”

  Annette Bening said something about her struggle history, and Ronald felt the same way. This woman is very sophisticated and always finds Ronald's emotional resonance.

   "I don't know what project you are preparing now?" Bening asked casually while stroking Ronald's face with his fingers in his arms.

   "The story of a southern woman..." Ronald saw Bening's eyes brighten, and said slowly, "There is no suitable role for you."

   "Oh?" Bening looked up, and then smiled, "What kind of drama is it?"

   "It's the 'Steel Magnolia' that is being played on Broadway, one 'Virgin', and four 'Moms'." Ronald didn't mention the rest of the "slut" types, but Bening understood what he meant.

   "Hehehe..." Sure enough, Annette Bening understood, her eyes turned seductive, and one hand touched Ronald's waist invitingly.

   "Hollywood scripts are scarce now, do you have any favorite roles?" Ronald looked at Bening's mature temptation, which was different from what he had experienced before. Hearts are melting.

   "I like Broadway plays, but I'm not very good at comedies." Bening felt that it was most suitable for him to start from the movies adapted from Broadway and become famous. After all, you are not young anymore, and you can't make mistakes in every step. As she spoke, she stroked Ronald's shirt slowly.

   "Which movie do you like the most?" Ronald burst into enthusiasm after being teased, helping this beautiful woman is actually discovering talents for Hollywood.

   "Do you know 'Dangerous Liaisons'?" Annette Bening finally says which movie she wants to be in.

   "I persuaded Alan (Rickman) to come to Hollywood..." Ronald kissed Bening.

   "Hahaha...you tickled me..." Bening smiled happily, and now he finally had hope of becoming famous.

   "I can't guarantee anything, but you can go and see my agent Nisita, he is from CAA, he should be able to arrange an audition for you, and the rest is up to you to work **** yourself."

   "Honey... um..." Benin "tried" to cater.

  …

   "Woo..." Ferrari stopped at the entrance of the hotel where Ronald lived, and he stretched himself. The interest of mature women came, and it was crazy.

   "Mr. Li, Ms. Nora Ephron is waiting for you." The hotel lobby manager saw Ronald coming in and immediately informed him.

   "Nora, why are you here?...Let's go to the bar to talk?" Ronald saw Nora Ephron sitting on the sofa opposite. She also has a suitcase, as if she just got off the plane.

"Ronald, is it true that the strike is about to end? Our movie will start casting soon. If the strike ends, it will not be a shortage of scripts, but a shortage of stars. I discussed it with Rob. I'll meet you in Los Angeles right now, and he's going to talk Billy Crystal."

   "Do you have a heroine candidate?" Ronald ordered a glass of orange juice, drank it in one gulp, and then asked for another glass, explaining embarrassingly, "California is easy to get dehydrated in spring.  …"

   "Huh...", Nora Ephron sniffed a few times, "The most suitable candidate is Michelle Pfeiffer."

   "It's her again? Why?" Ronald was a little overwhelmed, the concentration of female stars was even more terrifying than that of male stars. Although there are more female stars than male stars, at a certain moment, Hollywood will only think of two or three candidates for the female lead.

   "This is a very literary young woman, and Pfeiffer's appearance of being soft on the outside and strong on the inside is the most suitable." Nora Ephron looked at Ronald suspiciously, "Do you have any other suitable candidates?"

   "Hmm...", Ronald thought for a long time, and it is true that Pfeiffer is more suitable for this kind of literary heroine.

   "How about Helen Slater?" Ronald thought for a while. This kind of character is young and full of fantasies about life learned from books, as if Helen is closer to the character around him.

   "Her?" Nora Ephron thought for a while, "She lacks a kind of enthusiasm that makes people feel real. Although the heroine is naive, she is full of expectations for romance. Helen is a cold beauty."

   Ronald touched his lips, isn't childish the right type? I was about to ask Diane if she thought about whether it was suitable. She acted in that kind of literary and artistic style. I have never seen her act before.

   "Let her try the mirror?" Nora Ephron felt uncomfortable and refuted Ronald's face.

   "I'll call Limato, Michelle Pfeiffer's agent. If she's interested, we'll be the publisher. You're right, we have to act first."

  …

  Pfeiffer's agent, Limato, called soon after and made an appointment to visit Ronald. The two exchanged pleasantries and sat down again.

   "I have two scripts here, both of which are very suitable for Pfeiffer. Would you like to see which one is more suitable for her? She is also willing to act in it." Ronald cut to the point.

   "Ah, the Broadway adaptation of Steel Magnolia, I know that show, it's a good fit for Pfeiffer. This one is also good, obviously New York style script."

  Limato is now in front of Ronald, and he must pay attention to his skills when refuting the opponent's face. He first praised Ronald's vision, and was still thinking about how to refuse.

   "The two scripts are very suitable for Pfeiffer. Let's see, which one is more suitable for her? ... Well, or which one she would like to play in?"

  Ronald noticed that Limato's face was not very good, thinking that he had spoken abruptly. Pfeiffer is also a popular star now, and she has accepted all kinds of dramas. Limato probably didn't have that much of an influence on her anymore either.

  Limato was shocked when he heard Ronald speak politely. He suddenly figured it out. For a director like Ronald, it’s better to say everything clearly. He always overlaps with the fledgling screenwriter seven or eight years ago. For a person of this status, don’t deceive him. best strategy.

"I think Pfeiffer will definitely like it. She always wants to cooperate with you once. But now, you may need to arrange a schedule. She has recently planned to take another Broadway adaptation of the film, and it may be very urgent. "

   "Did someone get there first?" Ronald sighed, he was still inexperienced. Looking at others, he immediately started as soon as he saw the signs of trouble in the trade union.

   "It's not like that, it started long before the writers union restarted negotiations, and you know there are exemptions for those scripts that have already been formed. That's why off-Broadway scripts are so popular."

   "OK, let's watch it again. Can you show Pfeiffer the script? Let's talk some time."

   "Of course", Limato respectfully accepted the script and put it in his briefcase.

   "What movie is she taking?" Ronald asked casually. He wanted to estimate Michelle Pfeiffer's schedule. If it was an action movie, it would take a long time to shoot.

   "Do you know 'Dangerous Liaisons'? The play that came to tour in London's West End was performed in New York last year and was well received." Limato explained immediately that Ronald didn't know this kind of classical drama.

   "I hired Alan Rickman to play Die Hard." Ronald waved his hand. He had made too many commercial films, so everyone thought he was ignorant and didn't understand Broadway.

   "Then I don't worry, you know that the filming of costume films will take longer, I will go talk with Michelle, she will definitely like your script..." Limato patted his briefcase and stood up.

   "Don't forget to arrange an interview with us." Ronald stood up and shook hands with him to say goodbye.

"It seems that everyone has acted quickly, and we have to step up the release of the videotape in Daydream. It is best to go on the market before the end of the strike, and don't pay too much attention to those production costs." Ronald sent Limato away, and hurriedly Daydream's videotape department called.